by Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

by Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

These are sample questions from tests that assess how U.S. adults compare with their counterparts in other countries in basic skills such as math, literacy and problem-solving.

LITERACY

1. Test-takers are shown a simulated website with information about the annual "fun run/walk" organized by the Lakeside Community Club. Test-takers are first directed to a page with several links, including "Contact Us" and "FAQs." They're then asked to identify the link providing the phone number of organizers.

2. Test-takers are shown a short report of the results of a union election containing several brief paragraphs and a simple table identifying the three candidates in the election and the number of votes they received. The test-taker is asked to identify which candidate received the fewest votes by comparing the number of votes that the three candidates got. The word "votes" appears in both the question and in the table and nowhere else in the text.

MATH

1. Test-takers are given a photo of a box containing candles. The packaging identifies the product, the number of candles (105) and its weight. While the packaging partially covers the top layer of candles, it can be seen that the candles are packed in five rows of seven candles each. Test-takers must calculate how many layers of candles are packed in the box.

2. Test-takers are shown four supermarket price tags that identify the product, price per pound, net weight, date packed and total price. Test-takers must find the item that was packed first by comparing the dates on the price tags.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education